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Hidden Palms
on CW

By Josh Shirlen

Apparently, the writers and producers of the CW teen drama
Hidden Palms are under the delusion that what teen viewers watch on
television plays no part in shaping their worldview or influencing behavior. On
the June 27th episode, high school junior Cliff is shown having sex
with multiple partners, including his best friend’s mother.

The CW aired two
episodes back to back on June 27th, starting at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT, 7:00
CT/MT. Before the opening credits had finished, Cliff was shown in bed with two
different women. The first scene featured Cliff emerging from under the covers
with a much older woman, implying that he has just performed oral sex on her.
Suddenly, Cliff jumps out of bed to go meet another girl. The woman he is with
seems disgruntled by his behavior, but Cliff tells her that she can’t be upset
since she has only given him “one booty call in nine months.” Cliff makes his
way to teenager Nikki’s house and we find him once again under the covers with a
girl. It is implied that Cliff and Nikki have just had sex. The two teens
enter into a conversation where Nikki confides in Cliff that she has never been
on a date or had a real boyfriend, only “hooked up.” Later in the show, Nikki
walks-in on Cliff once again having an intimate exchange with the older woman
(Maria) and becomes upset. Cliff apologizes and promises himself to Nikki. The
show concludes with Maria meeting Cliff in his bedroom and once again seducing
him into having sex. Cliff’s mother walks in the room to discover them in his
bed.

The actions and
attitudes endorsed by this program are simply mind-blowing. Nikki takes
promiscuous sex further than ever before. In Nikki’s world she has sex and
“hooks up” with guys, without consequence. High school junior Cliff is having
sex with his best friend’s mother -- and he acknowledges doing so over nine
months previously, meaning that Cliff was clearly underage when the act
occurred. The CW is not only accepting but actually glamorizing statutory
rape. Is this behavior we want to encourage teens to view as normal or even
acceptable?

Hidden Palms
is simply appalling from start to finish and is one of the most irresponsible
shows currently on television. Its attempt to bait young viewers with depictions
of promiscuous sex, partying, and violence is despicable. Hidden Palms
more than deserves the title of Worst of the Week.

Parents Television Council,
www.parentstv.org, PTC,
Clean Up TV Now, Because our children are watching, The
nation's most influential advocacy organization, Protecting
children against sex, violence and profanity in
entertainment, Parents Television Council Seal of Approval,
and Family Guide to Prime Time Television
are trademarks of the Parents Television Council.